Portable patient lift system

ABSTRACT

A patient lift system helps to lift and mobilize a disabled person in a home or in an institution with minimal effort from a caregiver. The patient lift system includes a housing enclosing a frame, a geared spool mounted within the frame, a strap, a first carry bar and a second carry bar. The first carry bar attaches to the frame and extends external to the housing. The first carry bar encloses an electric motor having a drive shaft. The dive shaft is associated with a gear arranged to cooperate with the geared spool to, responsive to activation of the motor, turn the geared spool, thereby altering an amount of strap on the geared spool, thereby altering a distance between the housing and the connector. The second carry bar attaches to the frame and extends external to the housing. The second carry bar encloses a battery to provide electrical power to the electric motor.

FIELD

The present application relates generally to patient lifts and, more specifically, to a portable patient lift system.

BACKGROUND

Patient lift systems are known. For example, companies such as V. Guldmann A/S of Arhus, Denmark, Prism Medical Canada of Concord, Canada, the ArjoHuntleigh portion of the Getinge Group AB of Getinge, Sweden, the Liko portion of Hill-Rom, Inc. of Batesville, Ind., and Tollos, Inc. of Barrie, Canada are known to manufacture and distribute patient lift systems. The known patient lift systems are typically designed to be attached to a track fastened to the ceiling of a room. Once installed, the patient lift system is suspended from the track. The track may be seen to provide a range of possible locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example implementations; and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates, in an anterior perspective view, a patient lift system having a housing a carry bars in accordance with an aspect of the present application;

FIG. 2 illustrates, in an anterior perspective view, the patient lift system of FIG. 1, with the housing removed in accordance with an aspect of the present application;

FIG. 3 illustrates, in a posterior perspective view, the patient lift system of FIG. 1, with the housing and the carry bars removed in accordance with an aspect of the present application; and

FIG. 4 illustrates, in an anterior elevation view, the patient lift system of FIG. 1, with the addition of a hand control in accordance with an aspect of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A patient lift system described herein may be seen to help lift and mobilize a disabled person in a home or in an institution with minimal effort from a caregiver. The patient lift system includes a lift, a carry bar and a hand control. The lift, the carry bar and the hand control have shapes and features that may be seen to facilitate quick and easy cleaning. Notably, gaps have been minimized for infection control purposes.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a patient lift system. The patient lift system includes a housing enclosing a frame, a geared spool mounted within the frame, a strap extending external to the housing, attached, at a first end, to the geared spool and attached, at a second end, to a connector, a first carry bar and a second carry bar. The first carry bar is attached to the frame and extending external to the housing, the first carry bar enclosing an electric motor having a drive shaft, the dive shaft associated with a gear arranged to cooperate with the geared spool to, responsive to activation of the motor, turn the geared spool, thereby altering an amount of strap on the geared spool, thereby altering a distance between the housing and the connector. The second carry bar is attached to the frame and extending external to the housing, the second carry bar enclosing a battery to provide electrical power to the electric motor.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of manufacturing a patient lift system. The method includes mounting a geared spool within a frame, attaching a strap, at a first end, to the geared spool, attaching the strap, at a second end, to a connector, attaching a first carry bar to the frame, installing, enclosed within the first carry bar, an electric motor having a drive shaft, mounting a gear to the drive shaft, arranging the gear to cooperate with the geared spool to, responsive to activation of the motor, turn the geared spool, thereby altering an amount of the strap on the geared spool, thereby altering a distance between the frame and the connector, attaching a second carry bar to the frame and installing, enclosed within the second carry bar, a battery to provide electrical power to the electric motor.

Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific implementations of the disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates, in an anterior perspective view, a patient lift system 100. The patient lift system 100 includes a housing 102 that encloses a frame (not shown in FIG. 1). The housing 102 includes push button controls: a housing “raise” button 114R; and a housing “lower” button 114L. The housing 102 also includes an indicator 116.

The patient lift system 100 includes a carry bar. The carry bar has a first carry bar arm 104A and a second carry bar arm 104B (collectively or individually 104). The carry bar arms 104 connect to the frame, at a proximal end, inside the housing 102. The first carry bar arm 104A has a first carry bar hook 106A positioned at its distal end. Similarly, the second carry bar arm 104B has a second carry bar hook 106B positioned at its distal end.

The patient lift system 100 further includes a carabiner 108. The patient lift system 100 also includes a strap 110 that attaches the carabiner 108 to the frame inside the housing 102. The strap 110 may, for example, be formed from polyester.

The housing features a slot through which extends an emergency stop plate 112.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in an anterior perspective view, the patient lift system 100 of FIG. 1, with the housing 102 removed. Removal of the housing 102 exposes a circuit board 202. Removal of the housing 102 also exposes a first side wall 206A of the frame and a second side wall 206B of the frame (collectively or individually 206). The side walls 206 provide support for a first guide roller 204X and a second guide roller 204Y (collectively or individually 204). The guide rollers 204 are positioned such that the strap 110 is guided into the frame by passing between the parallel guide rollers 204.

A portion of a geared spool 208 is evident in FIG. 2. The geared spool 208 is carried on an axle that is supported by the side walls 206.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in a posterior perspective view, the patient lift system 100 of FIG. 1, with the housing 102 and the carry bars 104 removed. Removal of the first carry bar 104A exposes a cylindrical case 306 for an electric motor (not shown). Removal of the second carry bar 104B exposes a set of batteries 304. Three batteries 304 are illustrated in FIG. 3. However, it should be clear that the number and configuration of batteries 304 is only restricted by the size and shape of the second carry bar 104B in which the batteries 304 fit. The change of perspective from FIG. 2 (anterior) to FIG. 3 (posterior) exposes a drive shaft 308 that is driven, at a proximal end of the drive shaft 308, by the electric motor and a gear 310 that is mounted to a distal end of the drive shaft 308. The gear 310 is arranged to cooperate with the geared spool 208.

In one aspect of the present application, the electric motor is a direct current (DC) motor that is powered by the batteries 304.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in an anterior elevation view, the patient lift system 100 of FIG. 1, with the addition of a hand control 420. The hand control 420 includes push button controls: a hand control “raise” button 414R; and a hand control “lower” button 414L. The hand control 420 may maintain a wired connection to the circuit board 202 within the housing 102. Alternatively, the hand control 420 may maintain a wireless connection to the circuit board 202 within the housing 102.

In overview, the patient lift system 100 may be seen to help lift and mobilize a disabled person with minimal effort from a caregiver.

The patient lift system 100 may be attached, by the caregiver, to a ceiling-based anchor using the carabiner 108. A sling (not shown) may be attached to the patient lift system 100 at the first carry bar hook 106A and the second carry bar hook 106B.

Notably, through a careful design, the layout of the components (the motor, the batteries 304, etc.) of the patient lift system 100 may be arranged in a manner that establishes that the patient lift system 100 is balanced about a central point.

In operation, the caregiver may control the up/down position of the patient lift system 100 through pressing either the housing “raise” button 114R or the housing “lower” button 114L.

In one instance, control circuitry (not shown) carried, at least in part, on the circuit board 202 receives a signal from the housing “raise” button 114R. Responsive to receiving the signal, the control circuitry may control flow of current from the batteries 304 to the electric motor, thereby causing rotation of the drive shaft 308. Rotation, by the electric motor, of the drive shaft 308 effects rotation of the gear 310, which effects rotation of the geared spool 208 in a direction to spool up the strap 110. Responsive to the geared spool 208 turning in a direction to spool up the strap 110, an amount of the strap 110 on the geared spool 208 is increased, thereby reducing a distance between the carabiner 108 and the housing 102, thereby raising the patient lift system 100, thereby raising a patient in the sling.

In another instance, the control circuitry receives a signal from the housing “lower” button 114L. Responsive to receiving the signal, the control circuitry may control flow of current from the batteries 304 to the electric motor, thereby causing rotation of the drive shaft 308. Rotation, by the electric motor, of the drive shaft 308 effects rotation of the gear 310, which effects rotation of the geared spool 208 in a direction to spool out the strap 110. Responsive to the geared spool 208 turning in a direction to spool out the strap 110, an amount of the strap 110 on the geared spool 208 is decreased, thereby increasing the distance between the carabiner 108 and the housing 102, thereby lowering the patient lift system 100, thereby lowering the patient in the sling.

Although, in the foregoing example, the caregiver used the housing buttons 114R, 114L, the caregiver could equally have used the hand control buttons 414R, 414L.

A motor brake (not shown) may be attached in line with the electric motor to ensure that the system does not back drive. An “always on” motor brake conveniently would ensure that little to no power is used when the electric motor is not in motion.

Switches ensure the system automatically stops when either of the limits are reached. More particularly, a lower limit switch 312 halts the rotation of the drive shaft 308 by the electric motor, thereby halting the spooling out of the strap 110. Similarly, an upper limit switch 314 halts the rotation of the drive shaft 308 by the electric motor, thereby halting the spooling in of the strap 110.

Tension from the weight of the lift causes the strap to push against one of the limit switches to allow for movement, if this tension is not available either due to the strap extending completely or if the lift reaches a surface to rest on, the switch deactivates resulting in a lower limit condition.

Similarly an upper limit condition occurs when a second switch, in addition to the first already depressed switch, is activated. This is a direct result of the thickening of strap near the upper end of the strap.

In operation, to accomplish an emergency stop, a user presses downwards on the emergency stop plate 112. Conveniently, the switch (not shown) with which the emergency stop plate 112 is associated is a double throw switch with an ON setting, an OFF setting and a momentarily ON setting. Accordingly, while a single downwards press by the user on the emergency stop plate 112 may be used to accomplish an emergency stop, the user may opt to press and hold the emergency stop plate 112 and, thereby, activate an emergency lowering function.

Notably, some known patient lift devices require splitting the lowering function and the emergency stop into two different items: an emergency motor shut off button for turning the motor off and a separate button for lowering. Often, the emergency motor shut off button is located on the side of the patient lift device. Such a location causes a user to push the lift device sideways when operating the emergency motor shut off button.

In further known patient lift devices, a user pulls a strap to effectuate an emergency motor shut off. Some may find such a design to be lacking in ergonomic benefit.

The above-described implementations of the present application are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular implementations by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the application, which is defined by the claims appended hereto. 

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A patient lift system comprising: a housing enclosing a frame; a spool mounted within the frame; a strap extending externally of the housing and attached, at a first end, to the spool; a first carry bar attached to the frame and extending externally of the housing, the first carry bar enclosing a motor that is configured to drive the spool; and a second carry bar attached to the frame and extending externally of the housing, the second carry bar enclosing a power source to provide power to the motor; wherein the motor and the spool are co-operatively configurable for disposition in a winding configuration and an unwinding configuration, wherein: in the winding configuration, in response to driving of the spool by the motor, the strap is wound on the spool; and in the unwinding configuration, in response to driving of the spool by the motor, the strap is unwound from the spool.
 14. The patient lift system of claim 13, wherein the patient lift system is releasably attachable to a ceiling anchor mounted to a ceiling.
 15. The patient lift system of claim 14, further comprising a ceiling anchor connector that is connected to the second end of the strap and configured for releasably attaching the patient lift system to the ceiling anchor.
 16. The patient lift system of claim 14, wherein, while the patient lift system is releasably attached to the ceiling anchor, the motor, the spool, and the strap are co-operatively configured such that: while the motor and the spool are disposed in the winding configuration, the motor is configured to drive the spool to rotate in a first direction; and while the motor and the spool are disposed in the unwinding configuration, the motor is configured to drive the spool to rotate in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction.
 17. The patient lift system of claim 13, wherein the motor and the spool are co-operatively configured such that: in the winding configuration, in response to driving of the spool by the motor, the strap is wound on the spool; and in the unwinding configuration, in response to driving of the spool by the motor, the strap is unwound from the spool.
 18. The patient lift system of claim 13, further comprising a circuit board enclosed by the housing, wherein control circuitry is mounted to the circuit board and the control circuitry is configured to control the activation of the motor.
 19. The patient lift system of claim 18, further comprising a raise button on the housing, wherein actuation of the raise button signals the control circuitry to activate the motor to drive the spool for winding the strap.
 20. The patient lift system of claim 18, further comprising a lower button on the housing, wherein actuation of the lower button signals the control circuitry to activate the motor to drive the spool for unwinding the strap.
 21. The patient lift system of claim 13, further comprising: a first carry bar hook at a distal end of the first carry bar, a second carry bar hook at a distal end of the second carry bar; wherein the first carry bar hook and the second carry bar hook are co-operatively configured for attaching a patient support thereon.
 22. The patient lift system of claim 13, wherein the motor has a brake that is configured to prevent back driving of the motor.
 23. The patient lift system of claim 13, further comprising an emergency stop plate that is disposable in an emergency stop configuration and an emergency lowering configuration, wherein the motor, the spool, and the emergency stop plate are co-operatively configured such that: while the emergency stop plate is disposed in the emergency stop configuration, the driving of the spool by the motor is absent; and while the emergency stop plate is disposed in the emergency lowering configuration, the motor drives the spool to unwind the strap from the spool.
 24. The patient lift system of claim 13, further comprising: an upper limit switch that is configured to detect that the patient lift system is disposed at an upper limit condition; a lower limit switch that is configured to detect that the patient lift system is disposed at a lower limit condition; wherein the motor, the spool, the upper limit switch, and the lower limit switch are co-operatively configured such that: in response to detection by the upper limit switch that the patient lift system is disposed at the upper limit condition, driving of the spool by the motor becomes absent; and in response to detection by the lower limit switch that the patient lift system is disposed at the lower limit condition, driving of the spool by the motor becomes absent.
 25. The patient lift system of claim 13, further comprising: a drive shaft that is configured to be driven by the motor; a transmission component that is interposed between the drive shaft and the spool and is configured to be driven by the drive shaft; wherein the motor, the drive shaft, the transmission component, and the spool are co-operatively configured such that the spool is driven in response to driving of the transmission component by the drive shaft that is being driven by the motor.
 26. The patient lift system of claim 25, wherein the transmission component is a gear, and the spool is a geared spool.
 27. The patient lift system of claim 13, wherein the first carry bar and the second carry bar extend from the frame in opposite directions.
 28. The patient lift system of claim 13, wherein the spool is disposed centrally relative to the patient lift system.
 29. The patient lift system of claim 13, wherein a center of gravity of the patient lift system is disposed centrally of the patient lift system.
 30. A patient lift system, comprising: a frame; a spool rotatably mounted within the frame; a housing that encloses the frame; a strap that is attached, at a first end, to the spool, and that extends externally of the housing; a first carry bar attached to the frame and extending externally of the housing, the first carry bar enclosing a motor that is configured to drive the spool in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; and a second carry bar attached to the frame and extending externally of the housing, the second carry bar enclosing a power source to provide power to the motor; wherein the motor and the spool are co-operatively configured such that: in response to driving of the spool by the motor in the first direction, the strap is wound on the spool; and in response to driving of the spool by the motor in the second direction, the strap is unwound from the spool.
 31. A method of manufacturing a patient lift system, the method comprising: enclosing a frame in a housing; mounting a spool within the frame; attaching a strap, at a first end, to the spool; attaching a first carry bar to the frame that extends external to the housing; installing, enclosed within the first carry bar, a motor; attaching a second carry bar to the frame; installing, enclosed within the second carry bar, a power source to provide power to the motor; wherein the motor and the spool are co-operatively configurable for disposition in a winding configuration and an unwinding configuration, wherein: in the winding configuration, in response to driving of the spool by the motor in a first direction, the strap is wound on the spool; and in the unwinding configuration, in response to driving of the spool by the motor in a second direction, the strap is unwound from the spool.
 32. The method of claim 31 further comprising adjusting a disposition of the power source and a disposition of the motor relative to the patient lift system to achieve a center of gravity centrally of the patient lift system. 